By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
In a bold move to address Nigeria’s escalating drug and substance abuse crisis, the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) has unveiled plans for a nationwide awareness campaign. The initiative was officially announced by the BOF National Chairman, Pharm. Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, during the organization’s 7th Public Lecture held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Festival Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.
With the theme “Mental Health as a Basic Human Right: Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development,” the event served as a platform to underscore the urgent need for mental health advocacy and intensified efforts against drug abuse.
Apakama affirmed the BOF-PSN’s commitment to tackling substance abuse, declaring: “Under my leadership, BOF will work tirelessly to bring drug abuse awareness to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, ensuring every citizen understands the dangers and consequences of substance misuse.”
The campaign received a significant boost with endorsements from two high-profile leaders: Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Both men pledged unwavering support to BOF-PSN’s mission.
Brig. Gen. Marwa emphasized the need for a holistic and collaborative approach to the drug abuse crisis, highlighting the pivotal role of pharmacists. “Behind every drug user is a family in distress. Pharmacists must be strategic partners in the intersection of public health and drug control,” he said. Marwa also lauded PSN’s strides in sanitizing the pharmaceutical sector, particularly through the Pharmacists Council Bill Act of 2023.
Obasa, who chaired the occasion, called attention to the deep connection between mental health and substance abuse. He stressed the need for inclusive mental health care and referenced the Lagos State Mental Health Law of 2018, which integrates mental health into primary healthcare. “Every individual deserves access to mental healthcare irrespective of their socio-economic status,” Obasa said, while also urging pharmacists to help curb the distribution of counterfeit drugs.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri—a renowned psychiatrist and CEO of RediMed Consulting Services—delivered a stirring message on mental health as a universal concern. “We all have mental health. Depending on life’s challenges, our resilience, and the support systems we have, we can either thrive or struggle,” she said, stressing collective responsibility in supporting mental wellness and fighting substance abuse.
The event attracted a host of dignitaries, including:
Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, President, PSN,
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC (represented by Dr. Rametu Momodu),Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, former PSN President,Pharm. Elechi Oyim, National Chairman, AHAPN,
Dr. Maureen Nwafor, National Chairman, Clinical Pharmacist Association of Nigeria,
Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo, National Chairman, NAIP,Pharm. (Dr.) Obalolu Ojo, MD/CEO, Merit Healthcare Ltd
As the BOF-PSN gears up to take its campaign nationwide, the strong backing from public health leaders and policymakers marks a critical step toward combating Nigeria’s drug crisis. The event reinforced the message that mental health is not only a medical issue but a human right—one that must be protected through education, policy, and community action.
The 7th Public Lecture of the BOF-PSN closed on a high note, with attendees inspired to champion mental health advocacy and support inclusive strategies to address substance abuse across all levels of society.